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Serena Williams Opens Up About How Meghan Markle Is ‘Always There’ for Her


Serena Williams has said it once and now she’s saying it again: Meghan Markle is a great friend. The tennis champion opened up about their close-knit bond in a recent interview, sharing how Markle has flown across the world to support her during matches because she’s “always there.”

Serena Williams recently appeared on Access Hollywood and said Markle is “the strongest—literally the strongest —person I know, and the nicest, sweetest.” She also spoke about how much Markle’s efforts to show up at important events have meant to her; If you remember, Markle flew to the U.S. Open this fall to cheer Williams on during a critical match. “She flew all the way with a newborn to see me play in New York and flew all the way back that night, and I probably couldn’t have done that,” Williams said. Several detractors criticized Markle at the time for allegedly leaving baby Archie in London to take the trip, so Williams statements also worked to shut down those mom-shamers.

“It just kind of goes to show you what an amazing person that she is, and that’s just one of the many things that she does for me,” Williams continued. “I call her, text her anytime, crying, upset — she’s always there. Doesn’t matter what she’s going through, she just sets time away, and she’s just so amazing.”

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The friendship clearly goes both ways as they are often spotted catching up between royal duties or tennis championships. Williams of course was one of the high-profile guests at the royal wedding in 2018, and later, when Markle announced she was pregnant, Williams took on baby shower-planning duties. She organized a stunning party for her friend in New York City, saying that the celebration took “a lot of effort” but that she was determined to make it absolutely perfect for Markle. Spoken like a true BFF.



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Serena Williams Is Speaking Out About Financial Abuse During Domestic Violence Awareness Month


Perhaps you’ve heard that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. It’s a staggering statistic. Here’s the part you probably don’t know: 99% of those cases will involve some form of financial abuse.

Serena Williams wants to do something about that. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Williams has partnered for the third time with the Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse initiative to raise awareness around the rampant problem of financial abuse in relationships. “She is the embodiment of women’s empowerment,” Allstate Foundation senior program officer Ellen Lisak says. “We’ve been so grateful she has brought her influential voice and platform to our program to help elevate a national conversation around these issues that are so unknown to so many people.”

“When I signed up three years, I was really shocked by the statistics,” Williams told Glamour. “It’s basically every single case [of domestic violence]. When you think about that way, it’s like how did I not know about it? What can I do to bring my voice to it and talk about it?”

“I hope that people can learn the common signs of financial abuse and that if people are victims they know that there are resources like PurplePurse.com out there to help,” she continues. “I want people to know about the horrors of financial abuse.” Through her partnership with Allstate and Purple Purse, she’s had the opportunity to talk with survivors, something that has been very meaningful to her. “I feel really lucky to be among such powerful women,” she says. “It’s important for me to use my voice to support them and help tell their stories. Together, we can help other women.”

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“Victims of domestic violence are often asked, ‘Why don’t you just leave?’ and what we found is that financial abuse is one of the reasons. We found that domestic violence happens to one in four women, regardless of race or socioeconomic status and 99% of those cases also involve financial abuse,” Lisak tells Glamour. “It’s is one of the main reasons that victims remain in or return to an abusive relationship.”

“It can take on many forms, depending on the situation, but some examples include when an abuser prevents a victim from working, or they really limit their access to money or credit cards, or they even intentionally ruin their credit,” she continues. “If you have bad credit you can’t get an apartment. If you’re not working, you’re not bringing in income and you’re kind of stuck in this vicious cycle.”



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Simone Biles On Serena Williams, Showing Emotions and Being Unafraid to Own Her Greatness


Simone Biles has learned to embrace her greatness even though she sometimes has trouble wrapping her mind around just how good she’s become. But as the countdown to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo begins, the superstar athlete, who was recently declared the most decorated female gymnast of all time, said she’s not going to hold back or deny that she’s good at what she does.

“It’s important to teach our female youth that it’s OK to say, ‘Yes, I am good at this,’ and you don’t hold back,” Biles said in an interview with USA TODAY.

The 22-year-old explained, “You only see the men doing it. And they’re praised for it and the women are looked down upon for it. But I feel like it’s good (to do) because once you realize you’re confident and good at it, then you’re even better at what you do.”

“It’s not out of cockiness,” she added. “I’ve won five world titles and if I say, ‘I’m the best gymnast there is,’ (the reaction is) ‘Oh, she’s cocky. Look at her now.’ No, the facts are literally on the paper. I think it’s important to teach (young girls) that.”

Biles went on to say that one of the things her favorite athlete, Serena Williams, taught her growing up is to own her confidence and not be afraid to show real, raw emotion.

“You don’t have to be a robot all the time, and you don’t always have to seem happy out there,” Biles explained. “It also shows kids that it’s OK, if you’re enjoying the moment, to smile, to be happy. If you’re not having a good time, it’s OK, you don’t have to hide that from people.”

Earlier this week, Biles made history by successfully landing the triple-double during her floor routine—a move that is now officially dubbed the Biles II. And on Thursday, October 10, she added another medal to her growing collection: She earned her 16th gold medal at the gymnastics world championships in Stuttgart, Germany, after winning her fifth world all-around title.

After her win, she admitted, “I really don’t know how I do it sometimes.”

“I don’t know; I feel like it’s not me,” Biles continued, per The New York Times. “Sometimes I wonder how I do it. I feel like it’s just, like, not me. I wish I could have like an out-of-body experience to witness it because sometimes I think I’m going crazy.”



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Serena Williams Wants Everyone to Know What a Great Friend Meghan Markle Is


Serena Williams and Meghan Markle are two of the most well-known women in the world. But, to each other, they’re just really good friends. Like, the kind of friends who will fly across the ocean to support each other in their big moments.

Williams, of course, was among the famous guests when Markle married Prince Harry on the world’s stage back in May 2018. And the Duchess of Sussex has very publicly showed up for her tennis star friend at Wimbledon and most recently, the U.S. Open finals in New York City.

The Duchess of Sussex made the solo trip—sans Harry and baby Archie—just ahead of ending her royal maternity leave, and Williams wants everyone to know how much it meant to her. “Meghan is amazing,” she told E! News at the fashion show for her S by Serena line. “She literally flew across the seas just to support for a few hours with a newborn baby.”

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“She is the most positive, amazing human that I know,” Williams continued. “Everyone needs to know how amazing she is. I don’t know if I could have done that with my daughter at that age. But she did it. And that shows the kind of person that she is.”

Markle released a fashion line of her own this week in her official return from maternity leave. The “Smart Set” capsule collection benefits one of her royal patronages, Smart Works, with a one-to-one model. For every item purchased, that same item will be donated to the charity, which helps outfit women looking for jobs.

Female friendship and support playing out on the world’s stage? You love to see it. Now, would it be too much to ask to get some photos of a play date between Williams’s daughter, Olympia, and little Archie? Probably, but a girl can dream.





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Meghan Markle Is Taking a Solo Trip to See Serena Williams Play in the U.S. Open


Meghan Markle is currently coming to the end of her maternity leave, which started with the birth of baby Archie in May. She’ll be launching her new capsule fashion collection benefiting Smart Works, one of her royal patronages, next week. Then she, Prince Harry, and Archie will set off on their first royal tour as a family, a trip to Africa, later this month.

But she’s finding time to squeeze in a solo trip to the United States for a very special reason: Sources confirmed to the Today show that Markle hopped on a plane on Friday, September 6 to travel to New York to watch her good friend Serena Williams play in Saturday’s U.S. Open Finals.

“It is a last-minute trip,” a source told the Times UK. “Excited to support her friend, and then come back.” The report also says she is believed to be traveling without her husband, son, or any staff—only her security team is accompanying her. And given all the controversy surrounding her and Harry’s use of private jets this summer, it should not surprise anyone that the duchess opted to fly commercial for this personal trip.

We all may not have a friend playing in the U.S. Open or the ability to hop on a quick transcontinental flight, the sentiment is relatable: Basically, she’s just being a good friend, as well as squeezing in some personal time before a hectic fall schedule. Markle was a tennis (and Serena fan) well before becoming a royal and has twice joined her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, in the royal box at Wimbledon to watch her pal play.

Meghan and Serena back in 2014.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images



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Serena Williams Powerfully Opened Up About Missing Her Daughter While Competing


Serena Williams is a superhero in more ways than one: She’s a world tennis champion, an activist for equality, and a mother to almost-2-year-old daughter Olympia, whom she raises with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. But it’s not easy being a working mom, especially when you’re a highly visible pro athlete. As she competes in the U.S. Open this weekend, Williams shared in an on-court interview, per Forbes, how difficult it could be being away from her daughter during tournaments.

“I actually prefer playing in the day because I get to go home and see my baby,” Williams, the No. 8 seed and 23-time major champion, said on court after dispatching Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the fourth round. “I’ve been missing her the last few nights when I play.”

Although there won’t be a birthday party—Williams is a Jehovah’s Witness and doesn’t celebrate birthdays—Olympia turns 2 on Sunday, September 1. Williams reflected on Olympia’s birth and her own career since having her daughter.

“I think two years ago I had things attached to my arm, IVs, and it was a miracle that happened, having my baby,” she said, according to Forbes. “It was really a great day for me. Then it all went downhill. It all went downhill after that for a good five days. But I’m here, and I’m going to be reflecting on my opponent more than anything.”

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Williams added that Olympia has been saying “By-ee” every day when the tennis great leaves for the U.S. Open, which lasts two weeks.

“It’s different,” Serena said, according to Forbes. “In the beginning she would really be upset when I left. And now she’s a little bit better. I think I’m a little more upset. But at the same time, she definitely still takes it a little hard. She’s still super young.

“You know, it’s hard. Sometimes my heart literally aches when I’m not around her. But, you know, it’s good for me, I guess, to keep working and just to all moms out there that it’s not easy. It’s really kind of painful sometimes. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.”

Once the tournament is wrapped, however, things to back to normal—and the two have plenty of time to hang together. Williams takes care of training in the morning and then be with her the rest of the day.



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